The moderating role of work-life balance in the effect of perceived career barriers on the work motivation of women working in hotel kitchens

This study examines the impact of perceived career barriers on work motivation among women working in hotel kitchens as they progress through their careers and the moderating role of work-life balance in this relationship. The study evaluated perceived career barriers such as lack of cultural fit, excluded from informal networks, lack of mentoring, poor organizational career management processes, difficulty getting developmental assignments, and difficulty obtaining opportunities for geographic mobility The research adopts a quantitative methodology and is based on a relational survey model. Data were collected from 427 female employees working in the kitchens of five-star hotels operating in Antalya. The data collection tools included the "Perceived Career Barriers Scale", the "Work-Life Balance Scale" and the "Work Motivation Scale". Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and moderation analyses were conducted using SPSS and the Process Macro software. The findings indicate that the perceived career barriers negatively affect the work motivation of female employees; however, work-life balance significantly mitigates this negative effect. This study offers valuable insights into the structural and cultural barriers faced by women in their professional development within hotel kitchens and provides recommendations for addressing these challenges. Keywords: Hotel Kitchens, Female Employees, Perceived Career Barriers, Work-Life Balance, Work Motivation.